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Week 3 college football review, preview poll

Kevin Haskin's weekly 'Tackling Dummy' drill

TRIP IN TIME

15 YEARS AGO | SEPT. 19, 1998

KANSAS STATE 48, TEXAS 7

MANHATTAN — Ricky Williams would go on to win the Heisman Trophy.

Kansas State, however, did the Texas running back no favors. Williams entered the first Big 12 clash between the two rivals with a 237.5-yard rushing average but gained just 43 yards on 25 attempts against the nation’s top-ranked defense.

“They just kept coming and coming,’’ Williams said. “Every play there seemed like eight or nine guys up there.’’

Texas dropped to 1-2 under its new coach, Mack Brown, as K-State climbed to 3-0 with its 11th straight victory overall. The Cats toppled Indiana State and Northern Illinois by a combined margin of 139-7 in their first two games.

“Today we played a great running back and the result was about the same,’’ said K-State quarterback Michael Bishop, who threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another while producing 223 yards. “Maybe we’ll get more respect, maybe not. I know this was good for our entire team.’’

K-State wasted little time taking control as Eric Hickson bolted 44 yards for a touchdown barely two minutes into the game. The Cats went on to score 35 unanswered points in the first half. Texas did not score until early in the fourth quarter when Major Applewhite threw a 13-yard pass to Wane McGarity.

The Wildcats eventually went undefeated in the regular season as North Division champions but lost the Big 12 championship game to Texas A&M. As for the Heisman, Bishop was runner-up to Williams.

BIG 12 TACKLING DRILL

HOT SHOT

QB Blake Bell, Jr., Oklahoma

After inexplicably losing the QB job in fall camp, Bell drew his first start and threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns against Tulsa. Afterward, OU coach Bob Stoops said, “So much for your controversy,’’ one he actually created. Bell’s passing yardage was an OU record for a debut start.

COLD SPOT

TCU title hopes

The Horned Frogs possessed a novelty act — the best defense in the Big 12— that figured to push them into contention. An injury to QB Casey Pachall, however, derailed those hopes. They got going too late and were wrecked by penalties in a league-opening loss at Texas Tech.

MUST-SEES

LOUISIANA TECH (1-2) at KANSAS (1-1)

11 a.m. Saturday, Fox Sports 1

KU coach Charlie Weis revised his depth chart to incorporate different receivers and avoid drops. QB Jake Heaps needs a strong performance in this do-over against Conference USA. The Bulldogs led FBS in total offense and scoring offense last season, but production is far worse so far.

WEST VIRGINIA (2-1) vs. MARYLAND (3-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU

Redshirt freshman Ford Childress broke in last week and fired for 359 yards and three touchdowns, though the win was against lowly Georgia State. Maryland will pose more problems with its pass rush (8.5 sacks). Terps will enjoy supportive edge at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

KANSAS STATE (2-1, 0-0) at TEXAS (1-2, 0-0)

7 p.m. Saturday, ABC

Not the best opponent for the Longhorns to launch a turnaround. The Wildcats have won five straight in the series. UT’s fragile rush defense did not make any great strides a week ago under new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. Does Daniel Sams exploit that as K-State’s QB?

NATIONAL TACKLING DRILL

HOT SHOT

LB Anthony Barr, Jr., UCLA

Just how rangy is Barr, a first-round prospect for the NFL Draft? He was in on 11 tackles and forced three fumbles to help UCLA overtake Nebraska, 41-21, last week in Lincoln. He had two tackles for loss totaling 20 yards. Just last season, Barr switched from fullback.

COLD SPOT

Bo Pelini’s seat

A profane rant was leaked this week and in it, the Nebraska coach cursed Husker fans. You cannot do that. Particularly in Lincoln, where devotion to Big Red borders on religion. NU administrators expressed concerns. Pelini apologized. A stark difference from Dr. Tom.

MUST-SEES

BOISE STATE (2-1, 1-0 MWC) at FRESNO STATE (2-0, 0-0)

8 p.m. Friday, ESPN

Offensive showdown could be a preview of the Mountain West championship game. Fresno hopes to snap seven-game skid in series.

ARIZONA STATE (2-0) at STANFORD (2-0)

6 p.m. Saturday, Fox

A wild ending enabled the Sun Devils to outlast Wisconsin. Stanford has won eight of last 10 at home against ranked opponents.

MISSOURI (2-1) at INDIANA (2-0)

7 p.m. Saturday, Big Ten Network

Indiana leads the Big Ten with averages of 571 yards and 50 points and faces a Missouri team that inflicts little pressure on QBs.